You could easily say that I am in LOVE with this city! I spent about 6 hours in the Old City yesterday, trying to get a feel of the place and finding my way around. We went to the Wailing Wall (or the Western Wall) for the first time. I think I want to go there as often as possible. It's one of the most sacred places for the jews, and they just pray at the wall. The men go on one side and the woman on the other. The Dome of the Rock is on the other side of the wall...which is a very sacred place for the Jews also. It's where Solomon's Temple was built and where prophets of old would go, as well as Christ! They aren't allowed to step foot on that ground anymore and can get only as close as the Western Wall...which is why they call it the Wailing Wall. I also got to walk around the Dome of the Rock- and can I just tell you??! Oh my heart. It was amazing! I had goosebumps as I walked around and thought about how much history took place on that square of land...the temple mount. That's where they found Jesus teaching in the temple when he was young, and where he must have gone numerous times after that. There was a perfect view of the Church of the Ascension (where Christ ascended into heaven after he was ressurrected) on the Mount of Olives. I thought about how that is where he will return...and how the Earth will split in half when he steps out onto the Mount of Olives. I had to keep thinking...wow, I'm actually looking and being at these places that I have only read about. It's such an incredible opportunity. I'm SO excited!
So I have a few different goals for while I'm here. One of them is to get inside the Dome of the Rock. They only let muslims go inside, but sometimes if you are really lucky and are friends with muslims, they can take you in. One of my friends here tried to go in and even started taking off his shoes, but to no avail. But it's okay! We'll figure out a way eventually.
Life is great in the Holy Land
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